October 26
· Measure Y - The City Council is asking voters in Culver City to consider enacting a temporary local sales tax of one-half cent, which would automatically expire after 10 years, in order to provide funding for essential local services at current levels.
Prescription medicine and food purchases would be exempt from the sales tax. . If you would like to find out more about Measure Y and the City’s efforts to address budget concerns, please visit www.culvercity.org.
Community Development Department
· Westfield Culver City – A permit has been issued for a new retail store, Nordstrom Rack.
Fire Department
· Fire Prevention Week – Members of the Fire Prevention Division were at the Culver City Farmers Market on Tuesday, October 9 passing out information on fire safety and emergency preparedness as part of this year’s National Fire Prevention Week campaign. The theme this year was to “Have Two Ways Out.” Members of the public were encouraged to ensure that their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were installed and operating properly and to have an exit plan for the entire family. Firefighters emphasized having two ways out of each sleeping room, and for families to practice using their exit plan so that every member of the family knows how to get out of the house in an emergency and where to meet their loved ones. Anyone desiring more information or help in developing their exit or emergency plan is welcome to contact one of our Fire Prevention Inspectors at (310) 253-5925.
· CERT Training – On October 20, 30 members of the community completed the Culver City Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. These individuals participated in nearly 40 hours of training, taking place over three weekends and one week day. The training provided to participants focused on emergency preparedness for the individuals along with skills to assist their family, neighbors, and community. The participants learned basic first aid, basic search and rescue techniques, basic incident command structure, proper utilization of a fire extinguisher, the importance of an emergency kit and plan, and more. The skills learned will enhance the participants’ ability to care for themselves, family members, and neighbors needing assistance in the event of a large scale disaster. The training culminated with a final drill that replicated some of the challenges one would face in a disaster and gave the participants the opportunity to put their newly learned skills to the test. The next CERT training class is scheduled for early 2013. Additional information about Culver City’s CERT program can be found on the City’s website.
· Platoon Evaluations – All fire personnel attended a three-part hazardous material training course taught by Assistant Chief White and Training Officer Crone. The training focused on the latest version of The North American Emergency Response Guide (NAERG) which is more complex and provides more detailed guidance than the previous edition (2008). The training included First Responder Operational curriculum, NAERG use drills, donning of proximity suits, and mass decontamination.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department
· Administration – The Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, Daniel Hernandez, attended the National Recreation and Parks Association conference in Anaheim the week of October 15, attending informative sessions on developing partnerships and creative fundraising.
· Disability Awareness Month – The 10th Annual Free Kids Carnival in Celebration of Disability Awareness Month was held on Sunday, October 21. The event featured carnival games, a petting zoo, live entertainment, food and drinks, crafts and was a well-received and well-attended event.
· Medicare Seminar – Medicare Seminar 101 was held at the Culver City Senior Center on Monday, October 29. The workshop provided an overview of Medicare and the choices available. Like all informational seminars held at the Senior Center, this event was free and open to the public.
· Senior Center Halloween Party – the Annual Senior Center Halloween Party was be held on Wednesday, October 31.
· Flu Shot Clinic – The annual Flu Shot Clinic at the Veterans Memorial Building Auditorium will be held Thursday, November 1 from 9 am to 11. This event is sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Health.
· Parks & Recreation – The Parks and Recreation Divisions are working to obtain quotes and additional information in an effort to replace the baseball scoreboards at both Veterans Park and Syd Kronenthal Park, which have been non-functioning for several years.
· Parks – The annual PRCS Commission Parks Tour took place on Sunday, October 14. PRCS Commission Chair Laura Stuart and Commissioners Rick Hudson, Marianne Kim and Catherine Yanda were joined by Council Members Meghan Sahli-Wells and Jim Clarke. The tour included reviews of the most recent Capital Improvement Projects and proposed Open Space Plan Sites, as well as the ongoing maintenance challenges and conditions of each City park.
· Recreation – Recreation staff members attended an ActiveNet Workshop in Irvine on October 23. The half-day workshop allowed users and peers to network, share, brainstorm and trouble-shoot new ideas in the utilization of ActiveNet, the new software system being used by Culver City’s Recreation Division, providing staff with enhanced user ability as we move forward to Winter 2013.
Police Department
· Emergency Earthquake Drill -On October 18 the Police Department participated with the Fire Department in a city-wide Earthquake Drill.
· Albright Neighborhood - The Albright Neighborhood Watch just received its new Neighborhood Watch signs and expressed its appreciation to the Public Works Department for installing the signs that are now being displayed.
· New Police Officers Graduate from the Academy - On October 19 four new Culver City Police Officers graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy after completing the eighteen week training program. The new officers are Jason Salazar, Andrea Lopez, John Tropeano and John Dove.
Public Works Department
· Higuera Bridge Replacement Project Design RFP Released – The Public Works Department has released a Request for Proposals for preparation of the final design/construction plans and specifications for the Higuera Street Bridge Replacement Project. This project will replace the existing Higuera Street Bridge over Ballona Creek, which was determined to be eligible under the Federal Highway Bridge Program, with a new wider bridge that will accommodate two through-lanes in each direction, bike lanes, and sidewalks. Additionally, a bike ramp to connect to this new bridge and the Ballona Creek bike path will also be designed. A Baldwin Hills Conservancy Proposition 84 grant will fund the ramp design, and the City is still seeking grant funding for the construction of the ramp. The design and construction of the replacement bridge will be mostly funded with Federal funds with non-general City funds as a local match, for a total budget of $6.5 million. The design of the bridge is expected to take approximately one year, with construction beginning soon after. There will be public presentations of the bridge design.
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